"Mute R. Kelly" Movement Grows in Chicago to Boycott Musician

Women and men gathered outside R. Kelly's former Chicago studio to boycott his music and prosecution for sexual assault. NBC 5's Dick Johnson has the latest.

(Published Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019)

After Kim Foxx's public plea seeking potential victims of famed rapper R. Kelly to come forward, the Cook County State's Attorney's office said it is following up on calls it has since received.

"We can confirm that the office has received calls related to this matter," a spokesperson for the office said in a statement Wednesday. "We are in the process of reviewing and following up on these calls and have no additional information to provide at this time."

Also Wednesday, police confirmed they conducted a "business check" at Kelly's recording studio on the city's West Side.

"We have no criminal complaints from anyone about the location but we strongly urge anyone that may have information on potential criminal activity to please contact police," CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

On Tuesday, in response to what she called "deeply disturbing" allegations chronicled in a new series surrounding Kelly, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx encouraged potential victims to come forward.

"We cannot do anything related to these allegations without the cooperation of these victims," Foxx said in a press conference.

Foxx noted her office is "in the process of trying to get information" and has been in contact with Chicago police and families who documented concerns surrounding a relative's contact with the rapper.

"I am here today to encourage victims of sexual assault or domestic violence related to these allegations to please get in touch with our office," she said. "Please come forward."

The six-part series “Surviving R. Kelly,” which describes decades of Kelly’s alleged sexual misconduct, aired last week on Lifetime. It features multiple women who have accused Kelly of sexual, mental, and physical abuse and includes interviews with Kelly’s brothers, the founder of the #MeToo movement, talk-show host Wendy Williams and singer John Legend.

"I was sickened by the allegations," Foxx said. "I was sickened as a survivor, I was sickened as a mother, I was sickened as a prosecutor."

The embattled entertainer has long been accused of behavior that has ranged from questionable to potentially criminal. He was accused of child pornography after a widely circulated videotape appeared to show him having sex with, and urinating on, a teenage girl. He was acquitted of all charges in 2008 and continued to rack up hits and sell out stadiums around the country.

Kelly, 51, is one of pop music's best-selling artists and his hits include "Ignition," ''I Believe I Can Fly," ''Step in the Name of Love" and "Bump N' Grind." He has also written hits for artists ranging from Celine Dion to Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga.

NBC News reached out to Kelly’s representatives about the series and they said they had no comment. NBC Chicago also reached out to Lifetime for comment but has not heard back.

Foxx said victims of sexual assault or domestic violence can contact their local police department or call the state's attorney's office at (773) 674-6492.